Forum avatars...feeling stupid

[netstepinc]

Silly question I suppose...
I see people using avatars in this forum but I've been through the user control panel and can't see where I can upload mine. Are new Avatar uploads turned off?
Looked in:
Edit Signature
Edit Email & Password
Edit Profile
Edit Options

[randym]

Hi,

I've been lookiing for them too, can't seem to finnd them either. Anyone out there have a clue?

[jlasman]

Click on User CP, then lookl down the left side.

Under Settings & Options find Edit Avatar.

You can upload one, or point to one hosted elsewhere.

Jeff

[Sage's Unicorn]

Hi,

I am having the same problem! I have gone to Settings & Options but I see no Edit Avatar!
I only have:
Edit Signature, Edit Email and Password, Edit Profile, and Edit Options,

I have looked in all of those and have not seen Edit Avatar anywhere. I did check and I do have Show Avatars checked and like the others I do see other people's Avatars! Is it possible this option Edit Avatars could be somewhere else? Maybe it was moved or something?

Thank you very much, any help is greatly appreciated!:confused:

[floyd]

I vote for limiting what fonts and font sizes people can use. Some just don't when and how to use them properly. Maybe the same is true for avatars as well. I know I would like to use an avatar but not at the expense of others using things I don't want to see.

[UbiquityClint]

I will 2nd that :)

[ihostuk]

Edit Avatar is off for me, no option to use it at all?

[randym]

Hi Jeff,

I looked there and it isn't there. See the attached screen capture

[tlchost]

I vote for limiting what fonts and font sizes people can use. Some just don't when and how to use them properly. Maybe the same is true for avatars as well. I know I would like to use an avatar but not at the expense of others using things I don't want to see.

What do you think would be reasonable limits in terms of fonts and size? How about font colors?

Thom

[ihostuk]

Just to note that, the original post was about avatars, not font restrictions.

[floyd]

What do you think would be reasonable limits

I don't know. But the wild post above I didn't even read because it was so hard to read. Maybe I am the only one. We have a hard enough time figuring out what people are trying to say because of language barriers and sometimes people don't write exactly what they mean. I just feel like the last thing we need is another barrier like hard to read fonts. I don't mind bold, italic, and underline and even a couple of sizes. The point of using these should be to set apart specific words or phrases from the rest of what we are saying, for emphasis. We should not be making use of such things just because we can.

Just my opinion. Others will disagree. Got a little off topic. If the font thing needs to be discussed further lets make another thread for it. This one is for avatars. I know I am the one who started it. I am the one that should have started another thread.

[floyd]

original post was about avatars, not font restrictions

Correct. I only brought it up because of the post above which I could not, would not read. As already stated we should start another thread if it needs to be discussed further.

I don't have a way to include an avatar either. I have wanted to in the past but I don't know if that is a good idea either.

[ihostuk]

Ahh sorry to post pre-emptivly floyd, I agree that fonts should be used to highlight certain parts of text not just for the sake of looking 'pretty'
As for avatars I think a forum admin will have to have a look at that, maybe it got turnned off at some point.

[ihostuk]

I think avatars within reason would be good, maybe size(dimension) restrictions need to be in effect. I would certainly like to put my company logo next to mmy username. However i agree it could get out of hand, with some users using huge space taking dynamic avatars. I guess it would have to have a trial run.

[Sage's Unicorn]

Since we don't seem to be able to get avatars then the size of them seems to be a moot point doesn't it?

But that said...almost every forum that I have ever been at does have a size restriction and that does seem to be quite small, otherwise people would be putting entire wallpapers on. I have a very small avatar and I have been to a couple of places where even that is too large. Oddly enough though at these couple of places when I have opted for one of their avatars they came out to be bigger in appearance than mine, so obviously it appears that those forums just wanted the members to use their choices instead of the individuals choices. If that was indeed what they wanted then the option of uploading or putting the URL for an avatar should never be given.

One thing that I have never understood though is the option of putting a URL for your avatar. Isn't that just helping a person steal someone else's... whatever they call it? bandwidth or something, I hope that you get my drift because I am not a computer expert and really am hoping I do not get crucified for not knowing the proper term! I am here to learn.

Just thought I would put in my 2 cents again since I can't get an avatar!!!

(by the way, I use a larger, bolder font so that I can see it, not to irritate people, sometimes the fonts are so small I need a magnifying glass, I do not want others to suffer the same headaches that I get trying to read the smaller fonts). :o

[tlchost]

(by the way, I use a larger, bolder font so that I can see it, not to irritate people, sometimes the fonts are so small I need a magnifying glass, I do not want others to suffer the same headaches that I get trying to read the smaller fonts). :o

But for those of us that don't have a vision problem, or that have it corrected, the large purple fonts can be annoying.

If you do have a vision problem, you might want to do something about that.

Thom

[Sage's Unicorn]

Thank you very much for your concern about my vision problem Thom.

I have never seen so many people that are speaking about Avatars so concerned about fonts.

I do trust that this meets with your approval. If not I will see if I can do better next time for you.

I must say though that as a member of a few forums and I have never been so warmly welcomed, thank you very much. You treat your fellow posters very well indeed.

I was under the impression that this forum was for answering peoples questions not trying to insult them.

I suppose though that you have no problems and since you are not helping me either for the life of me I can not understand what you are doing here, I suppose some people were just born to complain.

Thank you again for your constructive criticism as you can see I am already taking your complaint to heart by changing my font and size for you, and after the holiday tomorrow I will surely make an eye doctor appointment.

[floyd]

That is much better Sage. Remember you are writing to the general public here, not your girlfriend. Font size is not as much a problem as the type of font used and the color of the text. I am not sure what font that is but I seriously doubt making it italic helped your vision any and I am not sure how the purple color helped either. The italic and purple make it harder to read.

If you want to make it big so you can see it then I don't see a problem with that (no pun intended) But don't make it annoying.

[tlchost]

Thank you again for your constructive criticism .... and after the holiday tomorrow I will surely make an eye doctor appointment.

Only too glad to help...and I hope all goes well with the eye doctor.

Thom

[Sage's Unicorn]

I am glad that you approve to Floyd.

Since I have worked out your problem with my fonts & I have accommodated you and your friends here maybe all of you could accommodate me now and find someone that can help me with my problem.

By the way, if you have such problems with the fonts why don't you try to get the font options turned off and then you would never have another problem with me or anyone else again.

Sounds like a much better option, try to help the situation as best as you can instead of insulting people and making things worse. If fonts were not here for people to use then they could not use them now could they? I think your problem is not so much with me but the administration here at the forum for turning the fonts on.

Thank You also for your constructive criticism.

[floyd]

instead of insulting people

I don't see where anybody insulted you.

Generally if you want to join a group of people you observe for a while and then try to fit in with them. I would like to see the posts that made you think that is was ok to use that style of writing.

Nobody here insulted you.

[Sage's Unicorn]

Thank you Thom, they have some very good doctors over here so I am sure that everything will work out just fine.

I am touched by your concerned for me.

You better watch out though Thom, you are showing me so much attention that people might start to think that you fancy me.

In fact, I kind of fancy you too. I'll just bet that you are a really cute one too, aren't you??

[Sage's Unicorn]

Well Floyd, if you can not see where someone insulted me then it looks like I am not the only one with eye problems.

Would you like for me to make you an eye appointment also? I think Thom is going to be picking me up and taking me to the eye doctor, maybe we could swing by and pick you up too. Kind of a threesome type thing.

[tlchost]

Click on User CP, then lookl down the left side.

Under Settings & Options find Edit Avatar.

You can upload one, or point to one hosted elsewhere.

Jeff

Jeff, it may be my old eyes, feeble mind or a combination of both...but I can't seem to fiind that avatar stuff. Could something have changed?

Thanks,
Thom

[tlchost]

Would you like for me to make you an eye appointment also? I think Thom is going to be picking me up and taking me to the eye doctor, maybe we could swing by and pick you up too. Kind of a threesome type thing.

YOU said you had trobles seeing and that was the justification for you to use a different font than the default, purple, italics and bold.

So, taking your statements at face value, I suggested you see an eye doctor, since if that or adjusting your monitor can solve your problem, then the rest of the forum doesn't have to look at your "adjustments".

If you think I attempted to insult you, you're mistaken.

Thom

[ihostuk]

Two things:
a) lets cool this bickering about font styles, if you really want to have that argument start a thread in off-topic
b) return to our original concern which is why are none of us able to see the avatar options?

Lets keep it friendly, its what the DA forums are good for. :)

[jlasman]

One thing that I have never understood though is the option of putting a URL for your avatar. Isn't that just helping a person steal someone else's... whatever they call it? bandwidth or something,
There could be many reasons for allowing a URL for an avatar, for example if you'd want someone to be able to use an avatar on your forum and not use your webspace to host it.

Jeff

[jlasman]

Okay, bickering over. Complaining over, personal insults, no matter how mild, over. I didn't take time off from my three-day holiday weekend to manage a bunch of kindergarteners; please don't act like one.

I've moved the thread; it appears to be a bit off-topic as it has nothing to do with DirectAdmin.

I've also cleaned it up a bit.

Now, for anyone who feels s/he has to use a larger font to be able to read his/her own posts, presumably you're not just posting to see yourself on the web, but you'd like a reply as well. So you'd be better off investing in some kind of screen software than in changing font sizes or styles.

That said, I'm not looking into limiting sizes and styles because we're all professionals, and we don't need kindergarten teachers to explain to us how to act in class.

As far as avatars are concerned, well I didn't turn them off. Someone else did. So I'm not going to turn them on.

Or perhaps it's something to do with a version update.

But I like being able to have an avatar, so I'll pass the question on to DA staff, and if they want to allow them, I suppose there's a way somewhere to turn them on.

If space is an issue, then perhaps since we all have our own space somewhere we can turn on just URLs and not upload. We'll leave it up to DA staff.

Jeff

[Sage's Unicorn]

Thank you very much for answering my question Jeff, I appreciate it.

I always thought though when you used the URL that you were stealing something from the person who is hosting that URL, (where you get the avatar etc.). I thought that is why where you get the avatars, clipart etc. from; that most of the time they tell you to download it to your own computer.

Again I appreciate you taking the time to answer my question and straightening me out.:)

[Sage's Unicorn]

Thank you very much for a 2nd time today Jeff about the Avatar information, I appreciate it very much. Now I know I should not go look for them. :)

[jlasman]

You're very welcome.

Yes, you can use the URL method to steal an avatar. You can do the same thing by right-clicking on an avatar you like, select "view image" (or similar, depending on your browser suport), download it, and upload it, so you'd still be stealing it.

Theft isn't in the method; it's in the doing and the intent :) .

Maybe we've all been watch too many of those CSI Miami shows ;) .

Jeff

[DirectAdmin Support]

Ok.. I think I've fixed the avatars... should show up now in everyones User's sections. "Registered Users" is a different group from us "Administrators". When we did the VB upgrade a while back, it changed the settings on us for Registered Users. Give that a go ;)

John

[floyd]

Ahhhhhhhhh Yeaaaaaaaaaah

[ihostuk]

Excellent !

[Sage's Unicorn]

Thank you for the extra information Jeff!!

I suppose we do all watch too much CSI!! Seems that is all that is on television here anymore, so we don't have too much choice!!!

To tell you the truth I was talking about stealing their bandwidth??? I am not at all sure that is the correct word for it, I am definitely not a computer genius by any stretch of the imagination!!

Sometimes I go to download an image to my computer and I see a sign that says to make sure you download to your computer and not steal their ...something or other, I thought it might be bandwidth. Some even go on to say that they change the names of the clipart frequently to prevent that!!

I heard of a story of a friend of a friend doing that and the person with the clipart images put a different clipart on with the same name, it was a naughty piece of clipart and came out to be very embarrassing to the person that had used the URL for the clipart that they wanted instead of downloading it to their computer!!! :)

[Sage's Unicorn]

Thank you very much John for getting the Avatars to work!! :)

[jlasman]

Yes, stealing bandwidth is an issue, as is stealing the artwork. If you're going to use a URL you should use one of your own, so you don't steal someone else's bandwidth.

And I've even seen code that can tell if the request for an image comes from a different page than the page that should be calling it, and selectively send something nasty. For example, some kind of illegal image. Of course you'd close your browser immediately, but most people wouldn't know how to clear the image from the computer. Then the guy who's bandwidth you were stealing reports to your ISP that you've got som illegal porn on your system, and the police get involved. Could happen. Or have I been watching too much Dateline recently ;) ?

Additional note: you don't have to be watching CSI; you could be watching Law and Order, starring an ex-senator who may soon run for President of our dear old (young?) USA. :) .

Jeff

[Sage's Unicorn]

Hi Jeff!!

Thank you for the information, I really enjoyed reading it, and it was very interesting about the illegal porn on the computer!! That sounds like some of the luck I would have!!!

It amazes me what people can do with computers, here I am lucky to get one turned on!!!

Unfortunately I do not know what Dateline you are talking about, I don't get that show here in Holland, unfortunately!! I saw if a few times when I went back for visit to the States and liked it!!

But I do get Law & Order: Special Victims Unit!! It use to come on once a week but since CSI is on almost every night now they put Law & Order on 3 or 4 times a week!!!

Just out of curiosity, you said that code can tell if the request comes from a different page, does that also mean that they can fix it to where different images went out to different pages?? Like porn on this page and cartoons on another request? :)

[GranTW]

Just out of curiosity, you said that code can tell if the request comes from a different page, does that also mean that they can fix it to where different images went out to different pages?? Like porn on this page and cartoons on another request? :)

Yes.

Grant

[Sage's Unicorn]

Thank you for the answer Grant, it is really very interesting!! :)

[jlasman]

Dateline NBC is a show specializing in real-life crime and criminal catching. In the recent past they've run a few special episodes of Dateline NBC: To Catch a Predator in which they've caught men conversing with kids on line and have talked about finding lots of porn on their computers. Since this is totally off-topic we'll stop here; the show information can be found here (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10912603/) (I think; it doesn't come up in my copy of Mozilla on my Linux desktop).

Jeff

[Sage's Unicorn]

OK Jeff!

Thank you very much for all of the information and it did show up on my Firefox, I will enjoy reading it very much!!! ;)